Garden Art Blog Post #2

In each of the three cultures gardens and religion have played a big role, however one does not mean the other all the time. The role, shape, and influence of religion on the garden differed on the time, politics and culture. This is shown in each of the three cultures: Roman, Mediaeval and Muslim.

The Romans were a very advanced, civilized culture. They had grand architecture that required complex math and science skills. They were also, however, were extremely religious. Most of their time was put into building grand churches and painting large frescos in dedication to their religion. With all this work Romans also looked for escape and leisure time, coined otium. Otium was usually seeked in a garden, a place to get away from the hustle as well as the smell of the city and buildings. These gardens were peristyle gardens, a place where you can connect with the gods. The gods were also depicted in the gardens through statues and frescoes. Most often depicted were Venus (goddess of gardens), Pomona (goddess of fruit) and Priapus (the god of fertility). These gardens played an important role for Roman religion as a place of escape, worship and learning about the Roman religion.

http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/an-ancient-roman-villa-a-cultural-ideal-of-rural-life-pt-2

The medieval era, however, brought about the spread of Christianity and the feudalistic system. With the feudalistic system the vassals had no interest in the roman garden for pleasure, they needed the gardens for agriculture. These gardens consisted of mainly vegetable, herb and orchard gardens. However, there still was a role of gardens in religion in the medieval times. Monastic gardens were used as practical gardens within the church as well as cloisters. Cloisters represented the Garden of Eden, with 4 beds created by 4 streams to represent the 4 holy rivers. The gardens were enclosed to represent the virginity of the Virgin Mary as well as the flowers grown, like the Madonna lily, had religious symbolism.

http://www.aberglasney.org/index.php?page=cloister_garden

The Islamic gardens were deeply rooted in religion. The gardens were design and modeled according to the Qur’an. The people of Islam believed that the garden represented an earthly paradise and represented afterlife. The gardens were based of the chahar bagh and were in a quadripartite design that had one water source with 4 small rill that represented water, wine, milk and honey. The gardens embodied beauty because the prophet Muhammed spoke about how God loved beauty. The gardens played a big role in the Islamic religion due to their part in proving their devotion to Muhammed.

http://www.grandivivaisciacca.eu/wp/?page_id=3000

Why do you think gardens have always been an intrinsic part of European culture?

The first evidence of an ornamental garden was in ancient Egypt in 14th century BCE. From there there was the first hanging gardens in Syria in 8th century BCE, which was enclosed and called paridesza. The early greek mythology also expressed the quality of harmony and nature. Gardens were first prevalent to express wealth and provide an escape and religious expression for the wealthy. This idea was brought over from the east to the west during the hellenistic period.

Not all gardens in europe are for religious and escape purposes, however, the intrinsic nature of the garden in Europe is mainly for the expression of religion. For example, the Romans used many religious statues in their gardens as well as frescos to depict religious scenes and used as a place to pray and teach about religion.

Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Italy_by_Frank_Fox_%2848%29.jpeg

Even after the fall of the roman empire and the transition into the Medieval times gardens were used for religious purposes. They used gardens to represent the garden of eden. Most gardens were split into four to symbolize the 4 rivers out of Eden and also planted flowers such as the madonna lily to symbolize Mary and her purity.

Image: http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/04/24/keeping-it-green/cuxa-lawn/

The religious building, such a monasteries, used utilitarian gardens to grow herbs a foods, but they also used gardens such as cloisters for religious teaching purposes. Religion played a large role in European history, and in turn so did the garden. Through the large role gardens played in religion, and the omnipresence of religion of European culture, gardens became an intrinsic part of European culture. 

Image: http://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/2009/04/24/keeping-it-green/cuxa-lawn/